Football clubs playing in the league of another country
Encyclopedia
There are a number of football
clubs around the world that are based in one country/territory but play in another's football league. Conditions for competing in a "foreign" league, as well as in a continental/confederational competition, are set case-by-case by FIFA as well as the respective confederation and national football associations involved.
, the United Kingdom
has four FIFA member countries instead of one. Clubs that play outside what would be regarded as their 'home country' include:
→ 
: English
in Scotland
→ : Scottish
in England
→ 
: English
in Wales
→ : Welsh
in England
Although all the above clubs play in the English football league system
and are allowed to compete in the FA Cup
, they are under the jurisdiction of the FA of Wales
.
Cardiff City (1921–29, 1952–57 and 1960–62) and Swansea City (1981–83) have played in the old Football League First Division
, the top division of English football at that time. Cardiff City are also the only non-English side to have won the FA Cup, winning it in 1927; they again reached the final in 2008, prompting the English FA
to change the rules to allow Welsh clubs to represent England in UEFA competitions should they qualify to do so.
The following Welsh clubs also played in the English football league system before the launch of the League of Wales, now the Welsh Premier League:
The following defunct Welsh clubs also played in the English league system:
Until 1995, the above clubs were allowed to participate in the Welsh Cup
, and represented Wales in the Cup Winners' Cup
if they won. Clubs playing in those parts of England close to the Welsh border could also play in the Welsh Cup, but could not represent Wales even if they won.
→ 
: Northern Irish
in the Republic of Ireland
Derry City have won the league titles of both Northern Ireland
(1964–65) and the Republic of Ireland
(1988–89, 1996–97), and also the cup titles of both Northern Ireland
(1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64) and the Republic of Ireland
(1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006), and have represented both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in European club competitions.
→ 
: Andorra
n in Spain
→ 
: German
in Switzerland
→ : Italian
in Switzerland
→ : Liechtenstein
er in Switzerland
All clubs in Liechtenstein play in the Swiss football league system
, as Liechtenstein has no properly recognized league of its own. These clubs also compete in the Liechtenstein Football Cup
, which is effectively the championship of Liechtenstein, with the winner representing Liechtenstein in the UEFA Europa League. Liechtenstein clubs do not play in the Swiss Cup, and are not eligible for qualification to European competitions via the Swiss league system.
→ 
: Monegasque
in France
→ : Sammarinese
in Italy
→ 
: Cypriot
in Greece
From 1967 to 1974, the champion of the Cypriot First Division
was promoted to the Greek First Division
.
→ : Austria
n in Germany
, which is only open to teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation
. They are also not eligible to represent the United States in the CONCACAF Champions League
.
→ 
: Antiguan
in the United States
→ : Bermudian
in the United States
→ : Canadian
in the United States
The four professional clubs from Canada (Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and - starting in 2011 - FC Edmonton) contest the Canadian Championship
for the Voyageurs Cup
to determine Canada's entrant into the CONCACAF Champions League
.
→ : Puerto Rican
in the United States
→ 
: Mainland Chinese
in Hong Kong
→ 
: Singapore
an in Malaysia
→ : Malaysian in Singapore
→ : Brunei
an in Malaysia
→ : Brunei
an in Singapore
Besides DPMM FC, a number of "foreign" teams have also played in the S.League. These clubs, while playing their home games in Singapore, are either satellite teams of foreign clubs or are made up exclusively of foreign players:
As of 2011, only Albirex Niigata Singapore FC and Etoile FC play in the S.League. The foreign teams are not allowed to represent Singapore in AFC
club competitions such as the AFC Champions League
and the AFC Cup
. Moreover, due to the presence of foreign teams in the S.League, the AFC does not allow S.League teams to participate in the AFC Champions League since 2011.
In recent years, foreign clubs from other countries have also been invited to participate in the Singapore Cup
.
→ 
: New Zealand
er in Australia
As New Zealand is a member of OFC
and Australia is a member of AFC
since moving from OFC in 2006, Wellington Phoenix are playing in the league of a member of another football confederation. As per agreement with FIFA
, AFC and OFC, Wellington Phoenix are not allowed to participate in the AFC Champions League
. They also do not participate in the OFC Champions League
, as New Zealand is represented by clubs from its football league, the New Zealand Football Championship
.
Note that it is not uncommon for New Zealand teams to play in Australian professional sports leagues—the National Rugby League
(rugby league
) and National Basketball League both have one team from New Zealand, and the Women's National Basketball League
had a New Zealand team in the 2007–08 season. This phenomenon is most pronounced in rugby union
, in which the Super Rugby competition, a joint enterprise
between the governing bodies of Australia
, New Zealand, and South Africa
, has five teams from each of the three countries as of the current 2011 season, with plans to add a sixth South African team
in 2013.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
clubs around the world that are based in one country/territory but play in another's football league. Conditions for competing in a "foreign" league, as well as in a continental/confederational competition, are set case-by-case by FIFA as well as the respective confederation and national football associations involved.
United Kingdom and Ireland
As a result of the history of football in the United KingdomFootball in the United Kingdom
Football in the United Kingdom is organised on a separate basis in each of the four countries of the United Kingdom, with each having a national football association responsible for the overall management of football within their respective country. There is no United Kingdom national football team...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
has four FIFA member countries instead of one. Clubs that play outside what would be regarded as their 'home country' include:
England / Scotland
→ : EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
- Berwick RangersBerwick Rangers F.C.Berwick Rangers Football Club are a football team based in the English Border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, although they play in the Scottish Football League Third Division...
play in the Scottish football league systemScottish football league systemThe Scottish football league system is a series of generally unconnected leagues for Scottish football clubs. The Scottish system is more complicated than many other national league systems, consisting of two completely separate systems of leagues and clubs, senior football and junior football...
(Scottish Football LeagueScottish Football LeagueThe Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
Third DivisionScottish Football League Third DivisionThe Scottish Football League Third Division is the lowest division of the Scottish Football League and the fourth overall in the Scottish football league system....
as of 2011–12), due to its proximity to the Scottish border.
→ : ScottishScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
- None at present.
- GretnaGretna F.C.Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
played in the English football league systemEnglish football league systemThe English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
until 2002 when they were elected to the Scottish Football LeagueScottish Football LeagueThe Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
. They folded in 2008.
England / Wales
→ : EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
- The New SaintsThe New Saints F.C.The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club , also known as The New Saints or simply TNS is a full-time-professional British football club representing Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in Powys, Wales and Oswestry in Shropshire, England . They play in the Welsh Premier League...
, one of only two fully professional clubs in the Welsh Premier League, represents both the Welsh village of Llansantffraid-ym-MechainLlansantffraid-ym-MechainLlansantffraid-ym-Mechain is a village and community in Powys, Mid-Wales, close to the border with Shropshire, about south west of Oswestry....
and the English town of OswestryOswestryOswestry is a town and civil parish in Shropshire, England, close to the Welsh border. It is at the junction of the A5, A483, and A495 roads....
(the two places are only 8 miles/13 km apart), since its merger in 2003 with financially troubled Oswestry TownOswestry Town F.C.Oswestry Town F.C. was a football club, formerly playing in the League of Wales.The club was founded as Oswestry United in 1860, which meant they were one of the world's oldest football clubs. Matches were latterly played at Park Hall stadium, Oswestry, after a spell at Victoria Road...
, an English club which had always played in the Welsh football structure. Since the 2007–08 season, they play in Oswestry, while previously playing in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain. As regular contenders to the WPL title and Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
, The New Saints have represented Wales in European competitions. - TrefonenTrefonen F.C.Trefonen F.C. is an amateur football team situated in the Village of Trefonen who play in the sixth level of Welsh football. They currently play in the JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League Division Two.- History :...
play in the Welsh football league systemWelsh football league systemThe Welsh football league system is a series of football leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them.-Structure of Welsh football:...
(Montgomeryshire LeagueMontgomeryshire LeagueThe Montgomeryshire Football League is a football league equivalent to the fourth and fifth level of the Welsh football league system in Mid Wales....
). - Newcastle play in the Welsh football league systemWelsh football league systemThe Welsh football league system is a series of football leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them.-Structure of Welsh football:...
(Mid Wales South LeagueMid Wales South LeagueThe Mid Wales South League is an association football league, founded in 1962, currently consisting of 16 clubs.The league lies in the fourth tier of the Welsh football league system, directly below the Mid Wales League...
). - Bishop's Castle did play in the Montgomeryshire League, but moved to the Shropshire County League (in the English football league system) in 2010.
→ : WelshWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
- Swansea CitySwansea City A.F.C.Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
play in the Premier League (as of 2011–12; this is the first season a Welsh club will play in the Premier League since its formation in 1992–93). - Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C.Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
play in the Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
(as of 2011–12). - Newport CountyNewport County A.F.C.Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
and Wrexham play in the Conference NationalConference NationalConference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
(as of 2011–12). - Colwyn BayColwyn Bay F.C.Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:...
play in the Conference NorthConference NorthThe Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
(as of 2011–12). - Merthyr TownMerthyr Town F.C.Merthyr Town Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2011–2012 season the club will be playing in the Western Football League Premier Division at Penydarren Park in Merthyr....
play in the Western Football League Premier Division (as of 2011–12).
Although all the above clubs play in the English football league system
English football league system
The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing...
and are allowed to compete in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, they are under the jurisdiction of the FA of Wales
Football Association of Wales
The Football Association of Wales is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.Established in 1876 , it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is the...
.
Cardiff City (1921–29, 1952–57 and 1960–62) and Swansea City (1981–83) have played in the old Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, the top division of English football at that time. Cardiff City are also the only non-English side to have won the FA Cup, winning it in 1927; they again reached the final in 2008, prompting the English FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
to change the rules to allow Welsh clubs to represent England in UEFA competitions should they qualify to do so.
The following Welsh clubs also played in the English football league system before the launch of the League of Wales, now the Welsh Premier League:
- Bangor CityBangor City F.C.Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
- Barry TownBarry Town F.C.Barry Town FC are a football team based in Barry. They dominated the League of Wales during the 1990s, but finished bottom in 2003-04 and were relegated...
- Caernarfon TownCaernarfon Town F.C.Caernarfon Town F.C. is a football team, playing in the Cymru Alliance. The club ia nicknamed The Canaries because of its yellow and green strip. Caernarfon Town plays at The Oval, Caernarfon, Gwynedd.-History:...
- NewtownNewtown F.C.Newtown Association Football Club is a Welsh football club who currently play in the Welsh Premier League, with a reserve team currently playing in the Mid Wales Football League....
- RhylRhyl F.C.Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's...
The following defunct Welsh clubs also played in the English league system:
- Aberdare AthleticAberdare Athletic F.C.Aberdare Athletic Football Club were a Welsh football club founded in 1893 and based in Aberdare. They joined the Football League in 1921 but were replaced by Torquay United after failing to be re-elected in 1927.-History:...
- Lovells AthleticLovells Athletic F.C.Lovell's Athletic F.C. was the works team for Lovell's sweet factory in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, which played professional football from 1918 until 1969.-History:...
- Merthyr TydfilMerthyr Tydfil F.C.Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:...
Until 1995, the above clubs were allowed to participate in the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
, and represented Wales in the Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
if they won. Clubs playing in those parts of England close to the Welsh border could also play in the Welsh Cup, but could not represent Wales even if they won.
- In addition, Deva Stadium, home to Chester and previously to the defunct Chester CityChester City F.C.Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, straddles the England-Wales border, and its entire pitch is in Wales (though the club offices, which are part of the stadium complex, are in England).
Republic of Ireland / Northern Ireland
→ : Northern IrishNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
- Two different clubs bearing the name Derry CityDerry City F.C.Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
have played in the Republic of Ireland football league systemRepublic of Ireland football league systemThe Republic of Ireland's football league system comprises three tiers: the League of Ireland Premier Division and League of Ireland First Division and the A Championship. The A Championship consists of both League of Ireland reserve sides and lower-level senior clubs...
:- The original club, founded in 1928, played in the Northern Ireland football league systemNorthern Ireland football league systemThe Northern Ireland football league system is structured as two series of interconnected football leagues across Northern Ireland.-Structure:...
until 1972, when it was expelled from the Irish Football LeagueIFA PremiershipThe IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
due to issues related to The TroublesThe TroublesThe Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
. The club then spent 13 years without a leagueThe Wilderness Years (Derry City F.C.)The "wilderness years" was a period of time between 1972 and 1985 when the city of Derry, Northern Ireland was without a senior footballing side participating in a senior national league....
until being admitted to the second level of the League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
in 1985. Two years later, they earned promotion to the League of Ireland's first level, and continued there until their expulsion in 2009 for financial mismanagement. The club was dissolved shortly thereafter. - A new Derry City club, which considers itself to be a continuation of the original, was founded in January 2010, and was admitted to the second level of the League of Ireland starting with that season2010 League of IrelandThe 2010 League of Ireland was the 90th season of the League of Ireland. For the 26th season in succession, it was played using a two division format, consisting of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division. Bohemians were the defending League of Ireland...
. They returned to the top flight at the first opportunity by winning the First Division title.
- The original club, founded in 1928, played in the Northern Ireland football league system
Derry City have won the league titles of both Northern Ireland
IFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
(1964–65) and the Republic of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
(1988–89, 1996–97), and also the cup titles of both Northern Ireland
Irish Cup
For the equivalent tournament in the Republic of Ireland, see FAI Cup.The Irish Cup is the national cup knock-out competition in Northern Irish football. Inaugurated in 1881, it is the fourth oldest national cup competition in the world...
(1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64) and the Republic of Ireland
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
(1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006), and have represented both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in European club competitions.
Continental Europe
→ : AndorraAndorra
Andorra , officially the Principality of Andorra , also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, , is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is the sixth smallest nation in Europe having an area of...
n in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- FC AndorraFC AndorraFutbol Club Andorra is a football club based in Andorra la Vella , established in 1942. They play in the Spanish football league system....
play in the Spanish football league systemSpanish football league systemThe Spanish football league system refers to the system in Spanish club football that consists of several football leagues bound together hierarchically by promotion and relegation.-Primera División:...
(Territorial Primera de Catalunya).
→ : GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
- FC BüsingenFC BüsingenFC Büsingen is a German association football club based in the exclave of Büsingen that competes in the Swiss league system, being the only German club to do so...
play in the Swiss football league systemSwiss Football LeagueThe Swiss Football League is organised in several leagues.-Proposed system from 2012-13 season onwards:-External links:* * * * *...
, as BüsingenBüsingenBüsingen am Hochrhein is a German town entirely surrounded by the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen and, south across the Rhine, by the cantons of Zürich and Thurgau. It has a population of about 1,450 inhabitants...
is a German exclave surrounded by Switzerland.
→ : ItalianItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
- AP Campionese play in the Swiss football league systemSwiss Football LeagueThe Swiss Football League is organised in several leagues.-Proposed system from 2012-13 season onwards:-External links:* * * * *...
, as Campione d'ItaliaCampione d'ItaliaCampione d'Italia is an Italian comune of the Province of Como in the Lombardy region, occupying an enclave within the Swiss canton of Ticino, separated from the rest of Italy by Lake Lugano and mountains...
is an Italian exclave surrounded by Switzerland.
→ : LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
er in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
- FC BalzersFC BalzersFC Balzers is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Balzers.Balzers play at Sportplatz Rheinau which is situated right next to the River Rhein next to the border with Switzerland where the town of Trübbach lies....
- USV Eschen/MaurenUSV Eschen/MaurenUSV Eschen/Mauren is a Liechtensteiner football club from Eschen and Mauren.They play at the Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, which used to be the national football stadium, until the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz was built. USV Eschen/Mauren, like all other Liechtensteiner teams, play in the Swiss Football...
- FC RuggellFC RuggellFC Ruggell is a Liechtensteiner amateur football team that plays in Ruggell. They currently play in the Swiss Football League, in 3.Liga, which is the sixth tier....
- FC SchaanFC SchaanFC Schaan is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Schaan. The reserve team is called Schaan Azzurri. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation and it plays in the Swiss Football League in 2. Liga, which is the fifth tier. The team annually competes in the Liechtensteiner Cup...
- FC TriesenFC TriesenFC Triesen is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Triesen. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation and it plays in the Swiss Football League in 4. Liga . The team annually competes in the Liechtensteiner Cup which was won by the team 8 times in its history...
- FC TriesenbergFC TriesenbergFußball Club Triesenberg is a Liechtensteiner amateur football team that plays in Triesenberg, Liechtenstein. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation. They play in the Swiss Football League in 2. Liga, which is the fifth tier...
- FC VaduzFC VaduzFC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
(played in the Swiss Super LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
for the 2008–09 season, the first Liechtenstein club to play in the top level of Swiss football; now in the second-level Challenge LeagueChallenge LeagueThe Swiss Challenge League is the second highest tier of the Swiss Football League. Sixteen teams play in the Challenge League. The winners of the league are promoted to the Super League, and the bottom two teams are relegated to the 1. Liga...
)
All clubs in Liechtenstein play in the Swiss football league system
Swiss Football League
The Swiss Football League is organised in several leagues.-Proposed system from 2012-13 season onwards:-External links:* * * * *...
, as Liechtenstein has no properly recognized league of its own. These clubs also compete in the Liechtenstein Football Cup
Liechtenstein football Cup
The Liechtenstein Football Cup is Liechtenstein's premier football competition, and has been organised annually by the Liechtenstein Football Association since 1946. The winner qualifies to take part in the UEFA Europa League....
, which is effectively the championship of Liechtenstein, with the winner representing Liechtenstein in the UEFA Europa League. Liechtenstein clubs do not play in the Swiss Cup, and are not eligible for qualification to European competitions via the Swiss league system.
→ : MonegasqueMonaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- AS Monaco FCAS Monaco FCAssociation Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
play in the French football league systemFrench football league systemThe French football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in France. At the top two levels of the system is the Ligue de Football Professionnel, which consists of two professional national divisions, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Below that are a number of leagues run by the...
(Ligue 2Ligue 2Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
as of 2011–12), as Monaco does not have a professional league. They are one of the most successful clubs in France having won seven Ligue 1Ligue 1Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, five Coupe de FranceCoupe de FranceThe Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
and one Coupe de la LigueCoupe de la LigueThe Coupe de la Ligue , known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel...
titles, and have also represented France in European competitions, reaching the final of the now-defunct UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
in 1992 and of the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
in 20042004 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2004 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match played at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on 26 May 2004, to decide the winner of the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League...
.
→ : SammarineseSan Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
- San Marino CalcioSan Marino CalcioSan Marino Calcio is a Sanmarinese football club based in Serravalle.The club was founded in 1960 as S.S. Serenissima . Serenissima merged with S.S. Juvenes in 1973, changing its name to A.C...
play in the Italian football league systemItalian football league systemThe Italian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues and national tournaments, set up by the Italian Football Federation , for football clubs in Italy with one club hailing from San Marino.-History:...
(Lega Pro Seconda Divisione). - A.C. Juvenes/DoganaA.C. Juvenes/DoganaA.C. Juvenes/Dogana is a Sanmarinese football club, based in Dogana, civil parish of Serravalle. The club was founded in 2000 after the merger of S.S. Juvenes and G.S. Dogana...
played in both the Campionato Sammarinese di CalcioCampionato Sammarinese di CalcioCampionato Sammarinese di Calcio is an amateur league competition for football clubs located at the top echelon of the Sammarinese football league system and has been operating since 1985...
and the Italian amateur levels until the 2006-07 season. Now they play only in the Sammarinese league.
→ : CypriotCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
- Olympiakos NicosiaOlympiakos NicosiaOlympiakos Nicosia is a football club in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. The club was founded in 1931. It is a founding member of the Cyprus Football Association. The club colors are black and green. Olympiakos's home ground is the New GSP Stadium of 23,400 seat capacity...
played in Greece in 1967–68, 1969–70, and 1971–72. - AEL LimassolAEL LimassolAthlitiki Enosi Lemesou , commonly known as AEL Limassol , is a Greek Cypriot multisport club based in the city of Limassol, the port of Cyprus....
played in Greece in 1968–69. - EPA Larnaca FCEPA Larnaca FCEPA Larnaca was a Cypriot football club based in the city of Larnaca. Founded in 1930 with the merge of two local clubs, Pezoporikos and AMOL, the club was a founding member of Cyprus Football Association and participated in the first Cypriot Championship in 1934/35. Few years later, Pezoporikos...
played in Greece in 1970–71. - AC OmoniaAC OmoniaAthletic Club Omonoia Nicosia is a professional football club that plays in the Cyprus capital city Nicosia. The club was established in 1948 and became a member of the Cyprus Football Association in 1953...
played in Greece in 1972–73. - APOEL F.C. played in Greece in 1973–74.
From 1967 to 1974, the champion of the Cypriot First Division
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
was promoted to the Greek First Division
Super League Greece
The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
.
→ : AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
- SV Kleinwalsertal has played in Germany since the 1960s, playing in the tier twelve B-Klasse Allgäu 6 in 2011–12.
- From 1938 to 1945, Austrian clubs participated in the German GauligaGauligaA Gauliga was the highest level of play in German football from 1934-45. The leagues were introduced in 1933, after the Nazi takeover of power by the Sports office of the Third Reich.-Name:...
system because Austria was annexed by Nazi GermanyNazi GermanyNazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. Additionally, a number of clubs from FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, LuxembourgLuxembourgLuxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
and PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
also played in the German league system during their occupation.
North America
As many North American sports leagues are made up of teams from different countries—three of the four largest professional leagues in Anglophone North America have teams representing cities on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border—this phenomenon can also be seen in soccer leagues. Although foreign clubs can and do participate in leagues based in the United States, no such team is eligible to participate in the U.S. Open CupLamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
, which is only open to teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation
United States Soccer Federation
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of the sport of soccer in the United States. Its headquarters are located in Chicago, Illinois. It is a member of FIFA and is responsible for governing amateur and professional soccer, including the men's, women's, youth, futsal...
. They are also not eligible to represent the United States in the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
.
→ : AntiguanAntigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- Antigua Barracuda FCAntigua Barracuda FCAntigua Barracuda is an Antiguan professional soccer team based in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
are playing in the new third-level league, USL ProUSL ProThe USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
, starting in 2011.
→ : BermudianBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- Bermuda HoggesBermuda HoggesBermuda Hogges is a Bermudian soccer team based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference....
play in the USL Premier Development LeagueUSL Premier Development LeagueThe USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, having decided to self-relegate from the USL Second DivisionUSL Second DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
(the effective predecessor to USL Pro) after the 2009 season. Many of the players appear for the Bermuda national teamBermuda national football teamThe Bermuda national football team is the national team of Bermuda and is controlled by the Bermuda Football Association. A member of CONCACAF, it is not among its strongest teams....
.
→ : CanadianCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- Toronto FCToronto FCToronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
have played in Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
since 2007. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC joined MLS in 2011. This became their third different league in three seasons. A member of the USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
through 2009, the Whitecaps broke away from the USL to join the new North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League (2010)The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
for 2010. However, after neither the NASL nor USL-1 received official sanctioning, they played the 2010 season in the temporary USSF Division 2USSF Division 2 Professional LeagueUSSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
. - The Montreal ImpactMontreal ImpactMontreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
, like the Whitecaps, are playing in their third different league in three seasons in 2011; they played alongside the Whitecaps in both 2009 and 2010. However, the Impact's 2011 league is the new NASL. The team's 2012 move to MLS will mark their fourth league in as many seasons (and presumably their final league move). - FC EdmontonFC EdmontonFC Edmonton is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
started playing in the new NASL in 2011. - Several Canadian clubs played in previous incarnations of the NASLNorth American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, including:- Calgary BoomersCalgary BoomersThe Calgary Boomers were a professional soccer team, that competed in the North American Soccer League during the 1981 season, after which they folded. They were owned by Nelson Skalbania, a Canadian businessman who moved the Memphis Rogues to Calgary, Alberta after the 1980 season.-1981 Roster:*No...
- Edmonton Drillers
- Montreal ManicMontreal ManicMontreal Manic were a soccer team based out of Montreal that played in the NASL. They played from 1981 to 1983. Their home field was Olympic Stadium...
- Montreal OlympiqueMontreal OlympiqueMontreal Olympique were a soccer team based out of Montreal that played in the NASL. They played from 1971 to 1973. Their home field was Autostade.-Year-by-year:...
- Toronto BlizzardToronto Blizzard (NASL)The Toronto Blizzard were a professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that played in the North American Soccer League.-History:The Toronto Metros joined the NASL in 1971. Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
(also known as Toronto Metros and Toronto Metros-Croatia) - Toronto FalconsToronto FalconsThe Toronto Falcons were a soccer team based in Toronto, Canada. They played only two years, 1967 in the National Professional Soccer League and 1968 in the North American Soccer League . Their home field was Varsity Stadium....
- Vancouver RoyalsVancouver RoyalsVancouver Royal Canadians were an association football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada that played in the United Soccer Association. The league was made up of teams imported from foreign leagues. The Vancouver club was actually Sunderland A.F.C...
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- Calgary Boomers
- Abbotsford Mariners, Forest City LondonForest City LondonForest City London is a Canadian soccer team based in London, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
, Hamilton RageHamilton RageHamilton FC Rage is a Canadian soccer team based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
, Ottawa FuryOttawa FuryOttawa Fury is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference....
, Thunder Bay ChillThunder Bay ChillThunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...
, Toronto LynxToronto LynxToronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
(played in the USL A-League/First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
until 2006), Vancouver Whitecaps ResidencyVancouver Whitecaps ResidencyVancouver Whitecaps Residency, formerly known as Whitecaps FC Reserves, is a Canadian soccer team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Although founded in 2005 as part of the development system for the Vancouver Whitecaps USL First Division franchise, beginning in 2011 they are part of the...
, Victoria HighlandersVictoria HighlandersVictoria Highlanders is a Canadian soccer team based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games in...
and WSA WinnipegWSA WinnipegWSA Winnipeg is a Canadian soccer team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the Canadian Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference....
play in the USL Premier Development LeagueUSL Premier Development LeagueThe USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
The four professional clubs from Canada (Toronto FC, Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and - starting in 2011 - FC Edmonton) contest the Canadian Championship
Canadian Championship
The Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
for the Voyageurs Cup
Voyageurs Cup
The Voyageurs Cup is the only trophy for top-level professional soccer in Canada. From 2002 to 2007, the cup was awarded annually to the Canadian team finishing with the best record in the USL First Division, from regular season matches against other Canadian teams in the league, and from 2008 the...
to determine Canada's entrant into the CONCACAF Champions League
CONCACAF Champions League
The CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
.
→ : Puerto RicanPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
- Puerto Rico IslandersPuerto Rico IslandersPuerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, who played in the USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
in 2009 and USSF Division 2USSF Division 2 Professional LeagueUSSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
in 2010, are playing in the new NASLNorth American Soccer League (2010)The North American Soccer League is a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico which began league play on April 9, 2011. It has been provisionally sanctioned as the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer in the...
in 2011. Even though Puerto Rico is a dependent territoryDependent territoryA dependent territory, dependent area or dependency is a territory that does not possess full political independence or sovereignty as a State, and remains politically outside of the controlling state's integral area....
of the United States, it has a separate football federation, the Puerto Rican Football Federation. The highest level of competition within Puerto Rico is the Puerto Rico Soccer LeaguePuerto Rico Soccer LeagueThe Puerto Rico Soccer League or PRSL is an association football league in Puerto Rico. It is the first unified football league in the island's history, and had a total of six teams for the 2011 season. Association football has been growing in popularity in recent years, and this is an attempt to...
, which the team do not usually participate in (however, they played in the 2010 season when it was played in a shortened format). The Islanders have represented Puerto Rico at the CFU Club ChampionshipCFU Club ChampionshipThe CFU Club Championship or CFU Club Champions' Cup is the annual international football competition held amongst association football clubs from the Caribbean Islands for clubs that are members of the Caribbean Football Union...
and the CONCACAF Champions LeagueCONCACAF Champions LeagueThe CONCACAF Champions League is the annual international club football championship for teams from the CONCACAF region ....
. - Sevilla FC Puerto Rico, Club Atlético River Plate Puerto RicoClub Atletico River Plate Puerto RicoClub Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the Puerto Rico Soccer League, and is the reigning Supercopa DirecTV champion....
, and Puerto Rico UnitedPuerto Rico UnitedPuerto Rico United is a Puerto Rican professional association football team based in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2007, the team plays The team competes in the Puerto Rico Soccer League....
were initially going to play in USL ProUSL ProThe USL Professional Division, commonly known as USL Pro , is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011....
in the 2011 season, but were removed due to severe economic difficulties.
China / Hong Kong
→ : Mainland ChinesePeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
- Lanwa FC played in the Hong Kong First Division LeagueHong Kong First Division LeagueHong Kong First Division League is the top division football league in Hong Kong which was established in 1908, the oldest in Asia. It does not affiliate to any football leagues in the People's Republic of China.-Competition format:...
for three seasons from 2005 to 2008. While Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, it has its own football federation and professional league. - Sheffield United and Xiangxue EisitiXiangxue Eisiti (Hong Kong)Xiangxue Eisiti is a Chinese football team played in Hong Kong First Division League. It is the reserve team of Shenzhen Shangqingyin.-Home ground:...
were both reserve teams of clubs based in mainland China which played in the 2008–09 Hong Kong First Division League season. However, both teams actually played their home games in Hong Kong.
Singapore / Malaysia / Brunei
→ : SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an in Malaysia
- The Football Association of SingaporeFootball Association of SingaporeThe Football Association of Singapore is the governing body of football in Singapore. It was founded in 1952. Prior to that, the Singapore Amateur Football Association, founded in 1892, was the governing body for football in Singapore...
used to enter a teamSingapore LionsThe Singapore Lions is the name given to a representative team of footballers representing the Football Association of Singapore in domestic competitions run by the Football Association of Malaysia...
in the Malaysian league, but pulled out after the 1994 season following a dispute with the Football Association of MalaysiaFootball Association of MalaysiaThe Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
over gate receipts, and launched its own S.LeagueS.LeagueThe S.League is the top men's professional association football league in Singapore. The league was launched in 1996 and currently involves 12 clubs.-History:...
. From 2012, a new Singapore representative side, based around the Under-23 teamYoung Lions (Singapore football team)The Courts Young Lions are an under-23 football team from Singapore. Most of the members of the squad are players from Singapore's national under-23 team. The team comes under the direct control of the Football Association of Singapore , but is managed as a football club and has competed in...
will participate in both the Malaysia Super League and the Malaysia CupMalaysia CupThe Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
.
→ : Malaysian in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
- As part of a two-way arrangement with the Football Association of Singapore, the Football Association of MalaysiaFootball Association of MalaysiaThe Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
will enter a representative side based around the Under-23 national teamMalaysia national under-23 football teamMalaysia national under-23 football team represents Malaysia in international football competitions in Olympic Games, Asian Games and SEA Games, as well as any other under-23 international football tournaments...
in the S-League from 2012.
→ : BruneiBrunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
an in Malaysia
- DPMM FCDPMM FC (Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota FC)Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club is a soccer club based in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The club played in the Brunei Premier League in the early-2000s, winning the league title in 2002 and 2004. The club then decided to play in Malaysia, and joined the Malaysian Premier League as a...
played in the Malaysia Premier League in 2006, and the Malaysia Super League in 2007 and 2008. - The Football Association of Brunei DarussalamFootball Association of Brunei DarussalamThe National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam is the governing body of football in Brunei Darussalam, controlling the Brunei national team.-The Executive Committee lifts the suspensions on Brunei Darussalam Monday 30 May 2011:...
used to enter a teamBrunei M-League TeamThe National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam used to enter a team in Malaysian football competitions. The team won the Malaysia Cup in 1999.-History:The Brunei team was formed in 1921 to participate in the Malaysia Cup....
in the Malaysian league.
→ : BruneiBrunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
an in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
- DPMM FCDPMM FC (Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota FC)Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club is a soccer club based in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The club played in the Brunei Premier League in the early-2000s, winning the league title in 2002 and 2004. The club then decided to play in Malaysia, and joined the Malaysian Premier League as a...
play in the S.LeagueS.LeagueThe S.League is the top men's professional association football league in Singapore. The league was launched in 1996 and currently involves 12 clubs.-History:...
, starting in 2009, after getting kicked out the Malaysian Super League for the 2009 season (see below). They were also invited to take part in the Singapore CupSingapore CupThe Singapore Cup is an annual soccer competition in Singapore.The Singapore Cup is the major cup competition in Singapore football, and has existed since the 1997 ....
in 2007. But since the FIFA ban on the Brunei FAFootball Association of Brunei DarussalamThe National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam is the governing body of football in Brunei Darussalam, controlling the Brunei national team.-The Executive Committee lifts the suspensions on Brunei Darussalam Monday 30 May 2011:...
in 2009, DPMM FC have stopped their participation.
Besides DPMM FC, a number of "foreign" teams have also played in the S.League. These clubs, while playing their home games in Singapore, are either satellite teams of foreign clubs or are made up exclusively of foreign players:
- Albirex Niigata Singapore FC (a satellite team of Albirex NiigataAlbirex Niigatais a Japanese J. League Division 1 association football team. Despite the club's relative youth, only joining the J. League in 1999, Albirex are one of Japan's best supported teams. In 2003, while still playing in the second tier of Japanese football , Albirex attracted the best average crowd in...
, a top-level professional club in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's J. LeagueJ. LeagueThe or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
) - Beijing Guoan Talent Singapore FCBeijing Guoan Talent Singapore FCBeijing Guoan Talent Singapore Football Club is a Chinese professional soccer club which was formed to play as a foreign team in Singapore's S.League in 2010.The club is a satellite team of the Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan F.C....
(a satellite team of Beijing Guoan F.C., a top-level professional club in ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's Super LeagueChinese Super LeagueThe Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
) - Dalian Shide Siwu FCDalian Shide Siwu FCDalian Shide Siwu Football Club is a Chinese professional soccer club which was formed to play as a foreign team in Singapore's S.League in 2008.The club is a satellite team of the Chinese Super League club Dalian Haichang...
(a satellite team of Dalian Haichang, a top-level professional club in ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's Super LeagueChinese Super LeagueThe Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
) - Etoile FCEtoile FCEtoile Football Club is a professional football club which was formed to play in Singapore's S.League in 2010.Etoile FC is the first team of players all born in Europe to ply their trade in Singapore's professional league, and the first in Asia...
(made up of players of FrenchFrench peopleThe French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
origin) - Liaoning Guangyuan FCLiaoning Guangyuan FCLiaoning Guangyuan Football Club is a Chinese professional soccer club which played in Singapore's S.League as a foreign team in the 2007 season. The club was a satellite team of the Chinese Super League club Liaoning FC. Players from Liaoning's youth teams made up the majority of Liaoning...
(a satellite team of Liaoning FC, a top-level professional club in ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
's Super LeagueChinese Super LeagueThe Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
) - Sinchi FCSinchi FCSinchi Football Club is a professional soccer club from China which played as a foreign team in Singapore's S.League from 2003-2005. The club played its home games in Singapore at the Jurong Stadium. The team's best league finish was seventh-place in 2003...
(a team made up of players from ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
) - Sporting Afrique FCSporting Afrique FCSporting Afrique Football Club is a defunct professional football club which played in Singapore's S.League in 2006. The team was made up not of Singaporeans, but of players of African descent. Its squad consisted of players from Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya and Ghana. The club finished in 9th place...
(made up of players of AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n origin) - Yishun Super Reds FCSuper Reds FCSuper Reds Football Club was a South Korean professional football club which played as a foreign team in Singapore's S.League between 2007 and 2009.- History :The creation of the club in 2007 was driven by the Korean community in Singapore...
(made up of players from South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
)
As of 2011, only Albirex Niigata Singapore FC and Etoile FC play in the S.League. The foreign teams are not allowed to represent Singapore in AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
club competitions such as the AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
and the AFC Cup
AFC Cup
The AFC Cup is an annual international association football competition between domestic clubs sides run by the Asian Football Confederation . Qualification to the competition is to clubs from AFC-affiliated countries which fall into the AFC's 'developing nations' category as laid out in their...
. Moreover, due to the presence of foreign teams in the S.League, the AFC does not allow S.League teams to participate in the AFC Champions League since 2011.
In recent years, foreign clubs from other countries have also been invited to participate in the Singapore Cup
Singapore Cup
The Singapore Cup is an annual soccer competition in Singapore.The Singapore Cup is the major cup competition in Singapore football, and has existed since the 1997 ....
.
Oceania
→ : New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
er in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
- Wellington PhoenixWellington Phoenix FCWellington Phoenix Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wellington, New Zealand. The club competes in the Football Federation of Australia A-League. Ricki Herbert has been the coach since the club's inception to the A-League in July 2007. The current club captain is...
play in the A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
, starting from the 2007–08 season. - New Zealand KnightsNew Zealand Knights FCThis page details the history of the club. For information on seasons and results see New Zealand Knights seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07New Zealand Knights Football Club were the only professional football club in New Zealand before they became defunct...
played in the National Soccer LeagueNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
from 1999 to 2004 (as Football Kingz FC) and in the A-LeagueA-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
from 2005 to 2007.
As New Zealand is a member of OFC
Oceania Football Confederation
The Oceania Football Confederation is one of the six continental confederations of international association football, consisting of Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and island nations such as Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific Island countries...
and Australia is a member of AFC
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
since moving from OFC in 2006, Wellington Phoenix are playing in the league of a member of another football confederation. As per agreement with FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, AFC and OFC, Wellington Phoenix are not allowed to participate in the AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
. They also do not participate in the OFC Champions League
OFC Champions League
The Oceania Champions League 2007 was held in January 2007 with six clubs from five member associations of the Oceania Football Confederation: New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. The six clubs were split into two groups of three for home and away matches.Auckland City...
, as New Zealand is represented by clubs from its football league, the New Zealand Football Championship
New Zealand Football Championship
The New Zealand Football Championship is the national association football league in New Zealand. It is a professional/semi-professional status Association football sports Franchise league that is operated by New Zealand Football...
.
Note that it is not uncommon for New Zealand teams to play in Australian professional sports leagues—the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
) and National Basketball League both have one team from New Zealand, and the Women's National Basketball League
Women's National Basketball League
The Women's National Basketball League is the pre-eminent women's professional basketball league in Australia. It currently is composed of ten teams. The league was founded in 1981 and is the women's counterpart to the National Basketball League...
had a New Zealand team in the 2007–08 season. This phenomenon is most pronounced in rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, in which the Super Rugby competition, a joint enterprise
SANZAR
SANZAR is the body which operates Super Rugby and Tri Nations competitions in rugby union. It is a joint venture of the South African Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union, formed in 1996.Created shortly after rugby's move to professionalism in 1995, SANZAR's two...
between the governing bodies of Australia
Australian Rugby Union
The Australian Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Australia. It was founded in 1949 and is a member of the International Rugby Board the sport's governing body. It consists of eight member unions, representing each state and territory...
, New Zealand, and South Africa
South African Rugby Union
The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board...
, has five teams from each of the three countries as of the current 2011 season, with plans to add a sixth South African team
Southern Kings
The Southern Kings are a South African rugby union franchise. The franchise was formally announced at the opening of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 16 June 2009, in time to coincide with the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa....
in 2013.
Sources
- Where's My Country? Article on cross-border movements of football clubs, at RSSSF.com